Christopher Rodrigues appointed PLA Chairman

The Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP, has appointed Christopher Rodrigues CBE as chairman of the Board of the Port of London Authority (PLA) with effect from 1 January 2016.

Christopher Rodrigues will succeed Dame Helen Alexander, who has been PLA chairman since January 2010, as her statutory term of appointment comes to an end.

Following an executive career in the financial and tourism sectors, Christopher Rodrigues is currently chairman of Visit Britain, Openwork LLP and The Almeida Theatre and is a Trustee of the National Trust. He is a past chairman of Leander Club and a steward of Henley Royal Regatta

The PLA oversees navigational safety along 95 miles of the tidal Thames, a river home to the UK's second biggest port, the busiest inland waterway for passengers and freight and a world famous centre for rowing. Running the river in trust for the benefit of future generations, the PLA shares its marine, environmental, planning and other expertise, promoting use of the river and safeguarding its unique marine environment.

PLA chairman, Dame Helen Alexander, said:

“I am proud of the PLA's achievements over the last six years, helping the Thames to be the busiest and safest it’s ever been. We've seen a transformation of river use. Last year modern day records were set with nearly ten million passengers travelling and over five million tonnes of freight moved between wharves.

“Now the PLA is looking to the future of the river and estuary. The Thames Vision project has identified great potential. The PLA executive team, supported by Christopher, will have the exciting challenge of bringing it to fruition.”

Christopher Rodrigues said:

"The River Thames is the beating heart of the greatest city in the world. It has been part of my life for over 50 years, first as a schoolboy oarsman on the Tideway, then as a member of two winning Cambridge Boat Race Crews and subsequently as chairman of Leander Club, a steward of Henley Royal Regatta and a craft owning freeman of the Waterman’s Company.

“I’m truly delighted to be joining the PLA as it finishes shaping its Vision for the river’s future. I look forward to getting out to meet the people who use the river for work, travel and play and to helping build support for the Vision from the river’s multiple stakeholders.”

Christopher Rodrigues is a graduate of Cambridge University and the Harvard Business School. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Surrey in recognition of his work in the tourism industry. He was previously president and chief executive of Visa International and chief executive of Bradford & Bingley and Thomas Cook.

About the Thames

The Thames is home to the UK’s second biggest port, keeping London and the south east supplied with food, fuel and life’s essentials.

As the busiest inland waterway in the country, it keeps over five million tonnes of freight (more than 250,000 lorry loads) a year off London’s congested roads.

About the PLA

The PLA is a self-financing organisation, set-up by an Act of Parliament in 1909 to run the tidal River Thames in trust for future generations. Its 350-strong workforce oversees safe navigation, protects the marine environment and promotes the use of the river. The PLA has no shareholders and any financial surpluses are reinvested in stewardship of the river and improving the efficiency of PLA operations.

The PLA oversees navigational safety and river operations on 95 miles of the tidal Thames from Teddington Lock, through the capital, and out to the sea.

More information on the Thames Vision project can be found at: www.pla.co.uk/ThamesVision